According to French media, since December 2024, Romanian and Serbian truck drivers employed by the Italian group Torello have been regularly transporting goods between the logistics platform of the Dutch discount chain Action in Belleville-en-Beaujolais, near Lyon, and its stores in the region.
Reports from the French daily Le Monde indicate that the Italian company replaced several French subcontractors previously working for the operator Kuehne+Nagel. This shift allegedly led to the reduction of around 30 jobs in the affected French companies.
However, it was discovered that the Italian company was not complying with European regulations governing the road transport of goods. According to reports, drivers delivering goods to Action stores were continuously taking their regular weekly rest periods in their vehicles—a practice that French transport companies promptly reported to the relevant authorities.
At the end of February, DREAL, the French road transport inspection authority, conducted an inspection operation outside a logistics centre in Belleville-en-Beaujolais. During the inspection, seven drivers were found to be illegally resting in their vehicles. As a result, fines totalling €17,405 were issued.
“The Italian transport company and its client could be subject to further checks in the coming weeks,” reports the Italian transport portal Transportinfo.fr.